The Most Important Principles of Life – Yama and Niyama
By Jola @YolaYoga | June 4, 2022
Have you ever felt stuck in your meditation and yoga practice? Do you feel that you do not grow spiritually? If the answer is yes then you may look closely at these most important principles of life – Yama and Niyama.
What are Yama and Niyama
The Yama and Niyama are the first two of the eight limbs of yoga outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. They are a set of ethical guidelines for living a virtuous life. In fact, we would not be able to progress on the spiritual path without following these principles.
The Yamas are restraints or things to avoid, while the Niyamas are positive actions. The Yamas and Niyamas are designed to help us live more harmoniously with ourselves and others. They provide a framework for living a virtuous life that is in alignment with our true nature.
When we practice the Yamas and Niyamas, we create an inner environment that is conducive to growth, healing, and transformation. We also become more aware of our actions and their consequences. This heightened awareness leads to greater responsibility and a deeper sense of interconnectedness with all beings.
The Yamas and Niyamas are not just a set of rules to follow. They are principles that can guide our actions and help us to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives.
In this article, we will explore the meaning of each principle and how our life can be changed when we practice them.
The Yamas are:
1. Ahimsa: Non-harming or non-violence
2. Satya: Truthfulness or honesty
3. Asteya: Non-stealing or non-covetousness
4. Brahmacharya: Sexual continence or moderation
5. Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness or non-attachment
The Niyamas are:
1. Saucha: Purity or cleanliness
2. Samtosa: Contentment or acceptance
3. Tapas: Austerity or self-discipline
4. Svadhyaya: Self-study or introspection
5. Ishvara pranidhana: Surrender to God or a higher power
Principles of Yamas
Ahimsa: Non-harming or non-violence
Ahimsa is the principle of non-harming or non-violence. It is one of the most important principles of yoga and can be applied to our actions towards ourselves and others. Ahimsa doesn’t just mean avoiding physical violence, but also includes mental and emotional violence. When we practice ahimsa, we are mindful of our thoughts, words, and actions and we avoid causing harm to ourselves or others.
Ahimsa is not just about avoiding negative actions, but also about taking positive actions. When we practice ahimsa, we seek to promote peace, love, and compassion in all our interactions. We also work to create an environment that is conducive to growth, healing, and transformation.
The practice of ahimsa can help us to develop a deeper sense of interconnectedness with all beings. When we realize that our actions have an impact on others, we are more likely to act with compassion and care. Ahimsa is a powerful principle that can help us to create a more just and peaceful world.
Satya: Truthfulness or honesty
Satya is the principle of truthfulness or honesty. It is one of the most important principles of yoga and can be applied to our thoughts, words, and actions. When we practice Satya, we are mindful of our thoughts and words and we avoid speaking lies or falsehoods. We also seek to act in alignment with our values and beliefs.
The practice of Satya can help us to develop a deeper sense of integrity and authenticity. It can also help us to build trust and rapport with others. When we are truthful, we are more likely to be seen as reliable and trustworthy. Satya is a powerful principle that can help us to create more meaningful and fulfilling relationships.
Asteya: Non-stealing or non-covetousness
This Yama is about not taking anything that doesn’t belong to us, whether it’s material possessions, another person’s time or energy, or someone else’s ideas. It also includes being honest in our interactions with others.
Asteya is about living with integrity and respecting the property of others. It asks us to consider what we really need in life and to let go of greed and envy. When we practice Asteya, we learn to be content with what we have and focus on giving rather than taking.
Brahmacharya: Sexual continence or moderation
Brahmacharya is the principle of sexual continence or moderation. It is one of the most important principles of yoga and can be applied to our thoughts, words, and actions. When we practice Brahmacharya, we avoid engaging in sexual activity that is excessive or inappropriate.
The principle of brahmacharya is not about repression or denial, but rather about moderation and control. When we practice Brahmacharya, we are able to channel our sexual energy into creative pursuits. This can help us to experience greater satisfaction and fulfillment in our lives.
Brahmacharya is also an important principle for those who are celibate or who have taken a vow of chastity. By practicing Brahmacharya, they are able to remain focused on their spiritual practice and avoid any distractions that might come from sexual activity.
Aparigraha: Non-possessiveness or detachment.
Aparigraha is the principle of detachment or non-possessiveness. It is the practice of letting go of material possessions and attachments to people and things. This does not mean living a life of poverty or renouncing all worldly possessions. Rather, it is about learning to live with what we have and not being attached to things that we do not need. It is about detachment from the material world and living in the present moment.
Aparigraha can be difficult to put into practice, especially in a society that is so focused on material possessions. We are bombarded with messages telling us that we need to buy things in order to be happy. But, as the Buddha said, ” attachment is the root of all suffering.” When we are attached to things, we are never truly happy, because we are always worried about losing them. We become attached to people and things that we do not really need and we forget what is truly important in life.
The practice of Aparigraha can help us to live a more contented and peaceful life. It teaches us to let go of the things that we do not need and to focus on what is truly important. When we are not attached to material possessions, we are free to enjoy the simple things in life and we can find true happiness.
Principles of Niyamas
Saucha: Purity or cleanliness
Saucha refers to both our physical and psychological state of being. It includes keeping our bodies clean and free from toxins, as well as purifying our minds of negative thoughts.
Saucha also extends to our environment and the people we spend time with. We should surround ourselves with things that inspire us and make us feel good, and avoid negativity as much as possible.
One of the best ways to practice Saucha is through regular yoga and meditation practice. This helps to still the mind and purify the body, creating a sense of inner peace and well-being. Another way to purify the body and mind is by eating clean foods and by fasting.
Saucha is an important principle to live by as it helps us to stay healthy in body and mind, and creates a foundation for a happy and fulfilling life.
Santosha: Contentment or acceptance.
This Niyama is one of the most important attitudes of life. It is the key to happiness and inner peace. When we are content with what we have, we are free from the constant cycle of wanting more and never being satisfied. This doesn’t mean that we should never strive for improvement or growth, but rather that we should be happy and grateful for what we have in the present moment. The path to follow is moderation and acceptance of what is. Being grateful for whatever we have or experience.
Nowadays commercial culture promotes all the time things that we actually do not need. They create an artificial desire. So whenever you notice your mind becomes not satisfied and negative try to see it from another angle and think about things that you are grateful for. Always find positive in every situation. When you practice this you will have a constant positive attitude towards life.
Tapas: Austerity or self-discipline.
Tapas means undergoing and accepting hardship and pain in order to grow spiritually and alleviate the suffering of others. This is the hardest principle of all because by nature we look for pleasure and happiness and we want to avoid the pain. You let go of comfort or happiness for the sake of elevation of the mind. Tapas also implies doing service to help others.
Tapas helps us to stay disciplined and focused on our goals. It is not about depriving ourselves of pleasure, but rather about learning to control our desires and channel our energy into constructive activities.
When we practice tapas, especially practicing yoga postures, we create heat and we purify our mind and body, which leads to greater physical and mental well-being. Tapas helps us to develop inspiration, willpower, and discipline, which are essential qualities for success in any area of life.
Svadhyaya: Study of the Self
Svadhyaya is the study of the self. It is about understanding who we are and what our purpose in life is. We can only truly be happy and fulfilled when we know ourselves on a deep level. Through Svadhyaya, we can begin to unravel the mystery of our being and come closer to our true nature.
Svadhyaya is not just an intellectual exercise; it is a spiritual practice that requires both self-reflection and self-awareness. We must be willing to look at ourselves honestly, without judgment or opinion. This can be a difficult task, but it is essential if we want to grow and evolve.
The study of the self is a lifelong journey, but it is one that is well worth taking. By understanding our own minds and hearts, we can begin to understand the world around us. We can also start to make positive changes in our lives that will lead to lasting happiness and peace.
Ishvara pranidhana: Surrender to a higher power
Ishvara pranidhana is the principle of surrender to God or a higher power. This doesn’t mean that you have to believe in a specific religion or dogma, but rather that you surrender your ego and let go of your attachment to material things. This can be a difficult principle to follow, but it is essential for living a spiritual life.
Conclusion
The Yamas and Niyamas are the first two of the eight limbs of yoga outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. They are a set of ethical guidelines for living a virtuous life. The Yamas are restraints or things to avoid, while the Niyamas are positive actions.
The most important Yamas are ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), and Asteya (non-stealing). The most important Niyamas are Saucha (purity), Santosha (contentment), and Tapas (self-discipline).
Practicing the Yamas and Niyamas helps us to stay healthy in body and mind, and creates a foundation for a happy and fulfilling life. They are important principles to live by and can be a difficult task, but it is essential if we want to grow and evolve spiritually.
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